Legal Definitions - sanity hearing

Definition: A sanity hearing is a legal proceeding that determines whether a person is mentally competent to stand trial. It is an inquiry into the mental state of the accused to determine if they have the ability to understand the charges against them and assist in their own defense.

Example: John is accused of committing a crime, but his behavior in court is erratic and he seems to be unable to understand the charges against him. The judge orders a sanity hearing to determine if John is mentally competent to stand trial.

Explanation: In this example, the sanity hearing is necessary to determine if John is able to understand the charges against him and assist in his own defense. If he is found to be mentally incompetent, the trial cannot proceed until he receives treatment and is deemed competent to stand trial.